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Deaf and Hard of Hearing

September 2019: Update regarding Jackson County PDHH Resource Classrooms

By Deaf and Hard of Hearing, News, Special Education

In May, 2019 Medford School District announced plans to have their students currently attending the SOESD PDHH classrooms hosted in Central Point School District (CPSD) instead be served by the SOESD PDHH program in resource classrooms located in Medford schools during the 2020-21 school year.

Medford School District (MSD) has now informed SOESD that MSD no longer intends to move forward with these plans, but has determined that students should remain in the SOESD PDHH program located in CPSD.

This means that the current  SOESD PDHH classrooms hosted by CPSD will continue to serve MSD students  as well as other  students in the Rogue Valley whose IEP teams determine this model of service best meets the students’ needs.

MSD parents have received a letter directly from MSD Special Education Director Tania Tong on this matter, indicating the decision was based on several factors, with the most important one being that MSD wants students to remain  with a community in which they are experiencing success and belonging.

SOESD Special Education Director Susan Peck has followed up with a letter to all parents/guardians of students in SOESD’s PDHH classrooms located in CPSD to provide an update on MSD’s decision.

SOESD looks forward to continuing to serve students who are deaf or hard of hearing in our PDHH resource classrooms.

 

September 11, 2019
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May 2019: Update and FAQs regarding Jackson County PDHH Resource Classrooms

By Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Homepage, News

SOESD provides services for students through the Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (PDHH) using both an itinerant model where teachers travel to students’ schools and a resource classroom model with three classrooms currently located in elementary, middle, and high schools at Central Point School District (CPSD). This update provides information about the resource classroom model in Jackson County.

Families who live in Medford School District (MSD) received a letter dated February 25, 2019 from MSD Special Education Director Tania Tong, indicating MSD was planning for MSD students to be served next year by the SOESD PDHH program in resource classrooms located in MSD instead of in Central Point School District (CPSD). We understand that MSD has now determined it will not open classrooms in MSD for students to receive PDHH services during the 2019-20 school year. This means that students would continue to attend SOESD PDHH resource classrooms located within CPSD next school year.

At this time, MSD has indicated their intention is to extend their timeline for students to begin being served by SOESD’s PDHH resource program in MSD starting with the 2020-21 school year. Additionally, we understand that MSD has updated their guidance so that MSD students currently being served in CPSD may remain in CPSD through high school graduation, regardless of students’ current grade level and whether students are transitioning between elementary, middle, or high school.

SOESD values input and feedback regarding proposed changes. We recognize that districts we serve may choose to host resource classrooms where SOESD would serve PDHH students, and understand that changes to locations of PDHH resource classrooms impact students and families.

Please know that SOESD will serve students that are eligible for SOESD’s PDHH services regardless of where students live or attend school.

FAQs re: SOESD’s Program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (PDHH}

Why was a change being planned for PDHH classroom locations?
Approximately half of the PDHH students in the three classrooms hosted by Central Point School District (CPSD) where SOESD serves Jackson County students are Medford School District (MSD) residents. MSD would like to serve their resident students in MSD schools.

Where will students attend PDHH resource classroom during the 2019-20 school year?
In 2019-20, PDHH resource classrooms will be located in CPSD. MSD has indicated their timeline is for students to begin being served by SOESD’s PDHH resource program in MSD classrooms starting with the 2020-21 school year.

Where will students attend PDHH resource classrooms during the 2020-21 school year?
In 2020-21, it has not yet been determined if PDHH resource classrooms will operate in CPSD, MSD, or both districts. We understand that MSD has updated their placement guidance so that MSD students currently being served in CPSD may remain in CPSD through high school graduation, regardless of students’ current grade level and whether students are transitioning between elementary, middle, or high school.

Where would MSD classrooms be located in the 2020-21 school year?
We understand that MSD’s current plan is to host classrooms at Howard Elementary, Mcloughlin Middle, and South Medford High schools.

Who will be the SOESD staff assigned to MSD classrooms in the 2020-21 school year?
Staff assignments would be determined once student placements are determined.

How would SOESD serve my child as a result of any changes in classroom locations?
SOESD will serve students that are eligible for SOESD’s PDHH services regardless of where students live or attend school.

How do school districts and SOESD partner to fund services for PDHH students?
SOESD’s PDDH teachers are funded through the ODE Regional Programs contract facilitated by SOESD. SOESD interpreters are funded by the school districts where students live. The district hosting PDHH classrooms receives funds from districts that have students attending their classrooms in order to support those students’ general education.

Who can I contact if I have questions about SOESD’s DHH Program?
Please direct all questions about SOESD’s DHH program to SOESD Special Education Director Susan Peck at 541-776-8555.

Who can I contact regarding Medford’s plans to open classrooms in 2020-21?
Please contact Medford School District Special Education Director Tania Tong at 541-842-3628.

Who can I contact regarding the location of my student’s PDHH resource classroom?
Please contact the special education director in the district where you live.

What are the next steps?
SOESD will continue to partner with school districts to create continuity of services for PDHH students.

May 20, 2019
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